FOX Weather Meteorologist Stephen Morgan shares an update on the intense heat across the Central U.S. this week, bringing above-average temperatures through Friday.
As rising temperatures become the norm during the summer, meteorologists are left wondering whether 2026 could be the hottest year ever.
As the last days of astronomical summer are here, above-average temperatures for this time of the season are expected across the South and Great Plains regions.
This comes as temperatures will reach about 100 degrees for close to 34 million people starting Wednesday, running about 10 to 15 degrees above average for early September.
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Locations such as Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi will experience temperatures as high as 105 degrees.
Heat Advisories and Extreme Heat Warnings are in effect across most of the Central Plains through Friday, which will also fuel drought conditions for some areas.
(FOX Weather)
“This prolonged stretch of intense heat and high evaporation rates will also increase the risk of rapid-onset drought across the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley,” the FOX Forecast Center said.
This late-summer surge in heat is part of an all-too-usual trend across the Southern Plains, where several major metro areas are experiencing the warmest year on record.
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According to the FOX Forecast Center, Oklahoma City, Dallas and Houston all rank first for their hottest year-to-date on record, making people wonder if 2026 could end up being the hottest year on record.
Prediction markets at Kalshi are expecting a 77% chance that this could be the hottest year ever.
The last time this record was broken was in 2023, when global temperatures averaged 2.1 degrees above the baseline period.
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Millions of Americans see no relief, as the Climate Prediction Center’s 6- to 10-day temperature outlook indicates the same areas will likely remain well above average.
